Expansion Projects: Environmental Assessments
GO Transit continues to grow, expand and to adapt to the needs and
transportation demands of our ever-changing region. We look for ways to
evolve our service that will meet passengers' commuting needs, while
also providing solutions to address traffic congestion. Right now, GO
Transit is exploring several projects to make your experience the best
it can be.
A first step in any project is comprehensive planning. During this
planning process, many of GO Transit’s expansion projects must undergo
an Environmental Assessment (EA). An EA is required to assess projects
that may have potential impacts during construction and/or operation and
may need measures to mitigate these impacts, . These projects require
approval from the provincial Ministry of the Environment before
proceeding to the next phase of a detailed design or implementation
process. Below you will find information on GO Transit projects
currently in the EA phase.
In 2003, the Ministry of the Environment approved the GO Transit
Class EA Document (see below), which focused on projects common to GO
Transit, and allowed projects to proceed effectively and efficiently to
meet the growing service demands.
In 2008, the province of Ontario passed the Transit Project
Assessment Process (TPAP), in order to streamline all transit projects
identified as being a priority in the province. The TPAP is a six month
process which stipulates certain projects, common to all transit
agencies and trades and where impacts are known, as being exempt from
the provincial Class EA process. For more information on the TPAP,
please visit the
Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s Environmental Assessment and
Approvals Branch.
Environmental Assessments (EA)
GO
Transit Class Environmental Assessment Document, 2003 (as amended
August 2005)
Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP)
Projects of Note
GO
Electrification
Niagara Peninsula Rail Service Expansion
Improvements:
- Anticipated service from Aldershot GO station in west Burlington
to Niagara Falls
- Improved service with a new layover facility
- Opportunity for new GO stations
Environmental Assessment: On May 19th 2011, GO
Transit completed an
Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Design Study for the
expansion of GO Train service to the Niagara Peninsula in accordance
with the GO Transit Class EA Document, 2003 (as amended in 2005).
The ESR has been deemed approved by the Minister of the Environment.
Study Area: The study area is from Aldershot GO
Station in west Burlington to Niagara Falls.
Project Description: The study focused on
potential locations for new stations, a layover facility site and
improvements along the rail corridor required to expand rail service
to the Niagara Peninsula.
Project Stage: In January 2011, GO Transit
issued a project update which illustrated the change in design and
location for some stations along the proposed expansion to the
Niagara Peninsula Rail corridor. In January 2011, GO Transit issued
a project update which illustrated the change in design and location
for some stations along the proposed expansion to the Niagara
Peninsula Rail corridor.
-
Project Update Notice
- Revised Station Locations
-
Confederation Station: replaces Fruitland location
- Fifty Road: station location to be determined as per
agreement with City of Hamilton to accommodate potential future
light rail transit plans.
Current Status: ESR deemed approved by the
Minister of the Environment.
Next Steps:
This study is an essential step in the broader process of
evaluating the projects' feasibility and merit. Decisions as to the
project’s potential implementation, including funding, will be
partially informed by its findings. Although funding has been
provided for execution of the environmental assessment, funding and
timelines have not yet been identified for fully constructing and
implementing this project and will be based on funding allocations
and GO Transit budget priorities. Please check back to this webpage
for project updates.
Environmental Study Report:
Past public notices:
Past Information Boards:
For more information and to provide comments, please
contact:
Andreas Grammenz
Environmental Assessment Project Leader
GO Transit
416-869-3600 ext. 5524
andreas.grammenz@gotransit.com
Don Valley Parkway Transit Project Assessment Process
Improvements:
- Improved on-time performance and reliability for
GO Buses using the Don Valley Parkway
Project Description:
GO Transit is conducting a Transit Project Assessment
Process (TPAP) to assess Bus By-Pass Lanes on the Don
Valley Parkway.
Project Stage: On Thursday, March
15, 2012, GO Transit issued a Notice of Completion to
begin the 30-day review period of the Environmental
Project Report (EPR) which assesses the design and
construction requirements of adding Bus By-Pass Lanes on
certain areas of the DVP. This Notice was published in
the following:
East York Mirror – Thursday, March 15, 2012
City Centre Mirror – Thursday, March 15, 2012
North York Mirror – Friday, March 16, 2012
Current Status: The review period
for the DVP Bus By-Pass Lanes EPR ended on Monday, April
16th, 2012. On Monday April 30th, 2012 GO Transit issued
an Errata based on feedback received during the 30 day
review period.
Next Steps:
This study is an essential step in the broader
process of evaluating the project's feasibility and
merit. Decisions as to the project’s potential
implementation, including funding, will be partially
informed by its findings. Although funding has been
provided for execution of the environmental assessment,
funding and timelines have not yet been identified for
fully constructing and implementing this project and
will be based on funding allocations and GO Transit
budget priorities. Please check back to this webpage for
project updates.
Environmental Study Report:
Past public notices:
Past Information Boards:
For more information, please contact:
Andreas Grammenz
Environmental Assessment Project Leader
GO Transit
416-869-3600 ext. 5524
andreas.grammenz@gotransit.co
